Pacific QueenB-29-15-BA 42-63429

500th Bomb Group, 882nd Bomb Squadron

Johnson painted a seated grass-skirted half nude on this Super Fortress which was claimed by pilot Capt Joe Savage as "Sunny's Honey". The artist's "Drowsy Swede" signature can be seen below the artwork.

The photo below shows Corporal Johnson clearing away his reference sketches and masking after completing the paint job on the right hand side of the B29. This suggests air brushing as well as brush work was involved. The name "Donna Jean's - Little Chief" refers to (cp) 2Lt Leonard 'Shorty' Hughes wife.

I am grateful to the family of John M Norton for making this information available via Joe Hudak. If anyone can add further missions to this listing I would very much appreciate hearing from them. It is thought that "Pacific Queen" successfully completed 50 combat missions -- perhaps more.